Automated artwork-generating system

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an automated artwork-generating system which has two drafting tables which are connected to a computer unit and the computer unit is connected with two teleprinter units. A teleprinter unit is associated with each drafting table. One of the drafting tables is utilized as a coordinate readout table and has a dotting mechanism positioned on a slide mechanism which sends signals into the computer unit to be directed to either the second automatic drafting table or to its associated teleprinter to produce a tape for future use. The second teleprinter unit is utilized to read the tape produced by the first teleprinter unit and feed the information into the computer unit so that the artwork can be reproduced by the second drafting table by a rotary tool mechanism provided on its slide mechanism. The artwork is produced on a peel coat master mat by a knife member which is oriented to be substantially aligned with the direction of the cut movement the rotary tool mechanism must follow during performance of its function on the peel coat master mat.



1. An automated artwork-generating system including in combination: a. a data reader unit, b. a computer to receive signals from said data reader unit, c. an automatic reproduction drafting table, d. a slide mechanism movably supported on said automatic reproduction drafting table, e. a rotary tool mechanism supported on said slide mechanism, f. said computer controlling the movement and position of said slide mechanism on said automatic reproduction drafting table, g. a knife assembly unit having a cutting edge for moving along a path of cut controlled by said computer, h. said knife assembly unit secured in said rotary tool mechanism to have its cutting edge in a predetermined oriented position, i. a first means to position said knife member in a lower position and in an elevated position, j. a second means to position said knife member in an angular position with said cutting edge in substantial alignment with said path of cut, and k. said computer sending the signals to control said first and second means.
 2. An automated artwork-generating system as defined in claim 1, having: a. a rotary assembly as part of said rotary tool mechanism, b. a positioning shaft as part of said rotary assembly, c. a step motor as part of said second means, d. said knife assembly unit secured to said positioning shaft, and e. said step motor angularly locating said positioning shaft.
 3. An automated artwork-generating system as defined in claim 2, having: a. at least two guide flanges on said positioning shaft, b. guide bushing surfaces as part of said rotary assembly to act on said guide flanges, c. a solenoid member as part of said first means, and d. said solenoid is connected to said positioning shaft to control its movement in moving said knife member between said lower position and said elevated position.
 4. An automated artwork-generating system as defined in claim 3, having: a. a rodmember as part of said knife assembly unit, b. said rod member having a stem with a ball member on one end and a threaded flange on the other end, c. a stem-receiving opening in one end of said positioning shaft and said opening having a diameter substantially the same as said ball member''s diameter, d. said stem having a diameter smaller than said stem-receiving opening, e. positioning pins in said positioning shaft adjacent the mouth of said stem-receiving opening, and f. said positioning pins act on said stem member to securely locate it in said stem-receiving opening so the cutting edge is substantially at the axis of said positioning shaft.
 5. An automated artwork-generating system as defined in claim 4, having: a. a coordinate readout table, b. a manual slide mechanism movably supported on said coordinate readout table, c. a dotting mechanism supported on said manual slide mechanism, d. a dotting point as part of said dotting mechanism, e. a control box as part of said coordinate readout table, f. said dotting mechanism having a signal-sending means to send signals to said computer, and g. said dotting mechanism signal-sending means controlled by said control box.
 6. An automated artwork-generating system as defined in claim 5, having: a. a data writer unit, B. said data writer unit to receive signals from said computer to produce a program for said data reader unit, c. said control box having a move button to indicate when the knife assembly unit is to be moved from a present point to a next point in the elevated position, and d. said control box having a draw button to indicate when the knife assembly unit is to be moved from a present point to a next point in the lower position.
 7. An automated artwork-generating system as defined in claim 4, having: a. a pin support sleeve secured to said rotary assembly, b. a zero pin assembly mounted on said pin support sleeve, c. a pin member in said zero pin assembly, d. a slotted flange as part of said positioning shaft, e. said slotted flange having a zero slot, and f. said pin member is aligned with said zero slot when said cutting edge is located at its initial zero position.
 8. An automated artwork-generating system including, in combination: a. a data reader unit, b. a computer to receive signals from said data reader unit, c. an automatic reproduction drafting table, d. a slide mechanism movably supported on said automatic reproduction drafting table, e. a rotary tool mechanism supported on said slide mechanism, f. said computer controlling the movement and position of said slide mechanism on said automatic reproduction drafting table, g. a knife assembly unit having a cutting edge for moving along a path of cut controlled by said computer, h. said knife assembly unit secured in said rotary tool mechanism to have its cutting edge in a predetermined oriented position. i. a first means to position said knife member in a lower position and in an elevated position, j. a second means to position said knife member in an angular position with said cutting edge in substantial alignment with said path of cut, k. said computer sending the signals to control said first and second means,
 9. An automated artwork-generating system as defined in claim 8, having: a. a data writer unit, b. said data writer unit to receive signals from said computer to produce a program for said data reader unit, c. said control box having a move button to indicate when the knife assembly unit is to be moved from a present point to a next point in the elevated position, and d. said control box having a draw button to indicate when the knife assembly unit is to be moved from a present point to a next point in the elevated position. 